Tips for getting into shape

Thursday, 11 May 2017

Struggling to find the time (or the will) to exercise? It’s all about making that start, so put on your brightly coloured workout gear and witness the fitness! You’ll end up feeling more energised and the bonus endorphins will boost your mood. Fitness and lifestyle expert, Lisa Raleigh gave us a few tips.

* Get some sleep! Enough sleep can help regulate your weight. Inadequate sleep increases cortisol levels and increases ghrelin – the peptide that stimulates hunger. It also reduces leptin, a hormone that signals fullness, leaving you hungry and more likely to store fat.

* Give spot training the boot. Working one area won’t eliminate fat from it, and overdeveloping one muscle will create a body imbalance. Your workout should have cardio, strength and flexibility components; only then should you target specific areas.

* Dry brushing is your secret weapon against cellulite. Using a firm, horsehair brush, work from your feet up, sweeping over the body with firm strokes. Always move in the direction of your heart and go easy on sensitive areas like your neck and chest. Dry brushing helps shed dead skin cells, improves skin texture and promotes cell renewal. It also increases your circulation and helps with the lymphatic drainage of the entire body.

* Shake up a steady-state cardio routine with interval training. Bursts of one-minute sprints followed by three-minute recoveries help you burn fat rather than carbohydrates – your precious energy supplies. These varied and explosive movements stimulate your body’s repair cycle effectively for higher kilojoule burns and improved fitness. If you have limited time, HIIT is your BFF.

* Cleanse your body and go on a detox. It will help you get rid of toxins, stimulate your digestion and improve energy levels.

* Keep it interesting. The same routine delivers the same results. You need to vary your programme often to challenge your body and prevent boredom, and also to stave off weight-loss plateaus.

* Push the weights. Strength training is critical for long-term toning and health benefits. Compound movements in particular are responsible for greater kilojoule burns during sessions as well as increasing lean muscle tissue at a greater rate, meaning a faster metabolism overall.

* Have a goal in mind: if you are dragging your feet when it comes to working out, visual motivation will get you going. Keep photos of you at your fittest in your office; picture fitting into your dream swimsuit, last year’s skinny jeans that doesn’t quite fit anymore; or look for pictures that match realistic goals of your ultimate body.

You can do do it – and we’ll join you! Share your fitness tips and favourite exercises in the comments section below.

Sign up for our newsletter!

We Love This Product

BeautySouthAfrica - your pre-shop stop for all things beauty

Beautysouthafrica.com is South Africa’s most comprehensive online beauty magazine and your pre-shop stop for product information and reviews. From the latest international make-up trends to the hottest new products on the market, we offer insights into the glamorous world of beauty. Join like-minded beauty fanatics in our loyalty program and earn points, trial beauty products and share your experiences.